It is an old adage among football fans that a poor pre-season may spell joyous successes for a club, come August and the start of a new league campaign.
Crystal Palace fans will certainly be hoping that is the case for them, as it’s fair to say the Eagle’s friendlies this summer have produced a mixed bag of results, more often than not going against the best wishes of Roy Hodgson and his boys in red and blue.
Proceeding pre-season, whilst most of Palace’s players headed out on their much-deserved summer holidays, fan-favourite right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka was locked in negotiations regarding his future with Manchester United, as well as taking part in youth games for the England national team. By 30th June, it was announced that the long-touted full-back had moved to the Red Devils for a princely £50 million; Palace’s most lucrative ever piece of business. Most fans were heavily disappointed with the departure of such a young and talented player, however they respected Wan-Bissaka’s wishes to play at a higher level and were pleased with the figure given to Palace in exchange for him.
After the holidays, a refreshed Eagles squad, missing some big players out on AFCON duty, first flew over to Switzerland to compete in the annual Uhrencup tournament. The Eagles’ first match was against Swiss outfit FC Luzern on 9th July; a 1-1 draw by the end of the 90 saw Palace edge through with the points on penalties, 5-6.
Four days later, Palace actually had a chance of winning a trophy! All that stood in their way was BSC Young Boys, another Swiss side, who in their other fixture had dispatched Eintracht Frankfurt comfortably by a 5-1 scoreline.
But it was not to be; goals from Ngamaleu and Hoarau put any hopes the travelling Palace fans had to bed, suffering a 2-0 defeat and returning to South London empty-handed. Those who had been at the game commented on their exasperation at the lack of chances created, in particular Benteke’s finishing abilities when faced with opportunities.
This misery was unfortunately to be compounded. As the first team travelled back from Switzerland, Palace once again tasted away defeat at the hands of Barnet, by a beastly 6-2 scoreline. The blow was softened somewhat by the fact that a development team had been fielded; featuring new signing Stephen Henderson, young prospect Luke Dreher, and striker Connor Wickham who is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained over two seasons ago.
A much-changed lineup was put onto the pitch three days later on 19th July, as Palace faced Nottingham Forest at The City Ground. The Eagles succumbed to a 1-0 loss thanks to winger Albert Adomah. The result could be a cause for concern for Palace fans, as the Eagles’ starting XI on the night was almost entirely composed of first-team names, unlike the loss to Barnet. Club captain Luka Milivojevic, Andros Townsend and Christian Benteke were just some of the players to stay on the pitch for the full 90, and despite their best efforts could not penetrate the Forest defence. No substitutes were made and it’s fair to say Hodgson will have been disappointed with his men come the final whistle. Whether this poor result is a reflection of things to come in the 2019-20 Premier League season, only time will tell. However, such a defeat will not sit well with most Palace fans. Considering the club’s lofty aspirations for the coming campaign, many will have thought a side of that calibre should have put Forest away with ease.
The day after, another development XI lost 1-0 away to Bromley. The group featured several trialists, as well as exciting academy prospect Brandon Pierrick, more of which was to be heard from later in pre-season.
On 25th July, it was announced the former loan striker Andre Ayew would be making the switch to Selhurst Park permanent for the new season. The Ghanaian, who netted once in 20 appearances for the Eagles during the 2018-19 campaign, signed for £2.5 million and was a welcome addition to Palace’s offensive options. However, it would not be hard to find some quarters of the club’s fanbase who were underwhelmed at the apparent quality of striker being considered by chairman Steve Parish, especially considering the £50 million that had lined his purse strings following the transfer of Wan-Bissaka. Many thought Palace should be looking up the table for players to bolster the squad, instead of signing players from mid-table Championship clubs, such as Ayew from Swansea. To lessen the team’s reliance on Wilfried Zaha, it’s essential that Palace attracts a handful of proven top-flight players in the positions where they are most needed; namely, a quality striker and right-back to replace Wan-Bissaka. Ayew just didn’t seem to fill the void.
More action on the pitch followed, and happier scenes at Ashton Gate on 27th July. Bristol City were felled 0-5 to a Palace team similar to the one played at Forest, however this time a group very much determined to produce a more positive result. There were five different goal scorers, all first XI players who would be expected to put away chances when they came their way. The likes of Jeffrey Schlupp and Max Meyer helped in their efforts by some unfortunate defending from The Robins.
Next up was a scrap with local rivals AFC Wimbledon on 30th July. An entertaining 2-2 draw saw a fantastic brace from academy player Brandon Pierrick, just 17 years of age. He opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a calm finish in the box, before adding a brilliantly taken second from 20 yards in the second half, twice sending Palace into the lead against the League One side. SE25 may well be hearing from the young forward in the coming months.
All of these fixtures having gone, it was to be Palace’s pre-season finale which would be the most bitter pill to swallow for fans. A full Premier League starting XI faced Germans Hertha Berlin on home turf on 4th August. First-choice ‘keeper Vincenze Guaita was between the sticks, as well as a full-strength midfield, albeit missing Zaha on the wing, who was still recovering following AFCON.
The objective was to show supporters at Selhurst Park the work the team had been doing during the summer, and how they would both set up and play come Everton’s visit on the first day of the new season.
The team started the game well, with an unusual non-headed Benteke effort ruled offside in the 10th minute. Chances for Scott Dann and Ayew followed, but very soon some lamentable Eagles defending saw the Germans nab a long-range goal just before half-time. Things would only get worse in the second half and Hertha ran back to their dressing rooms 0-4 victors at the final whistle.
All in all, Palace’s pre-season has been disappointing. Coupled with the bittersweet departure of Wan-Bissaka to pastures new and the underwhelming addition of Ayew, there is significant cause for concern come Everton on the opening Premier League weekend. Deadline day deals may well be in order for Steve Parish to shore up fans’ confidence in the roster he has amassed going into next season, and Palace fans will be hoping the board can cling on to Zaha for everything they’re worth. Serious trouble beckons if new signings are not made and Wilf leaves Selhurst before the close of the window.
Whilst a clear and effective system seemed to be evident, Hodgson seems to have lost his tactical touch and although these games are dead rubbers it is still disappointing to see disorganisation at the back and a lack of cohesion up front. Benteke continues to disappoint, and the midfield seems to have returned to its former state over a year ago when Cabaye and Loftus-Cheek had recently departed, leaving the remaining players confused and not in-tune with each other’s styles. Whilst Roy may have all of us fooled and the Eagles go out all guns blazing come 9th August, many fans have been left dispirited by this apparently lacklustre pre-season, with good results hard to come by. Having said that, there have been positives in the emergence of Brandon Pierrick as perhaps Wan-Bissaka’s successor as academy prodigy, and both Schlupp and Meyer have shown some good play, which does bode well.
The first Premier League game against Everton will be watched with a close eye by many, to see whether Palace have been bluffing all these months, and really have got their act together. It may make for grim viewing also, if Zaha is missing from the team sheet…
